On another day of injury concerns at the Rabbitohs' Heffron Park base, Bennett confirmed on Friday he still intended starting Dodd at No.7 against the Sharks.
The match will mark the 23-year-old's first game starting for the Rabbitohs since May, with the big-money English import having spent most of the year in NSW Cup.
One of the biggest-name arrivals of the off-season, Dodd's dream of succeeding in the NRL has largely been denied since he was suspended in the Charity Shield.
The ban ruled him out of the first round, and Souths have since used six other players in the halves with Dodd starting just once in a loss to Newcastle.
That has prompted questions over whether he will remain at the Rabbitohs next year, or potentially head back to England with three years left on his contract.
But Bennett insisted the former St Helens half had remained in good spirits and seemed ready for the opportunity in Gosford on Saturday night.
"We're all going to be a lot smarter after tomorrow night," Bennett said when asked if Dodd could be a long-term playmaker for Souths.
"So why don't we just wait until tomorrow night and we'll answer some questions then.
"He's been good since he's been here. He's trained well. He's well-mannered and wholly respectful of the other players and his teammates.
"Nothing's changed this week for him."
South Sydney are also debuting young half Ashton Ward off the bench, with Jack Wighton named at No.6 to face Cronulla.
Already plagued by injuries and in a fight to avoid Bennett's first wooden spoon as a coach, Souths had another scare on Friday with Jai Arrow.
The forward required treatment to his foot after limping out of training and while he returned briefly, he did not finish the session due to a nerve-related issue.
The Rabbitohs are confident the issue is minor and the former Queensland State of Origin representative will be fit to face the Sharks.
"We think it's manageable," Bennett said.
"He has some pain in the back of his foot when he puts his shoes on. He's got no pain when he's got no shoes on."
Bennett also revealed prop Keaon Koloamatangi is some chance of returning from ankle surgery before year's end.
And the veteran coach also said he would have no issue Cameron Murray returning from his season-destroying achilles tendon rupture in a bid to go on the Ashes tour.
"He's going to be close to maybe getting a couple of games in," Bennett said.
"Once we've cleared him to play, if he wants to play one or two games, then that's his decision and I'll support that.
"If he wants to go with the Australian team, I'll support that. If he doesn't want to go, I'll support that as well."
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